This is a blog to give friends and loved ones an opportunity to view the progress of the sailing adventures of Captain Don Montgomery and The Admiral Lana Montgomery.

12.16.2007

Time Out!

Yesterday we took a slow easy ride north on the ICW from Charlotte Harbor to Lemon Bay. We both realized that we have grown to enjoy the coastal sailing versus the ICW. However this section was scenic and offered some great views of flora and fauna. We found a well protected anchorage near Englewood on the north end of Lemon Bay. A very nice restaurant and store are just a few hundred yards away and make for a short dinghy ride. We have decided to stay here for at least two more days. A tropical system to the south and a cold front pushing down from the northwest do not make for good travel due to cold temperatures and very strong winds. Our anchor held well last night even though the winds topped out at over 30 kts. We dropped a second hook around 3AM just to give us some insurance in the event that we did drag on our primary anchor. The Admiral caught some great fish last evening and we had them for Sunday brunch today. She warmed up the cabin this afternoon by baking a fresh batch of cookies. The only fish we have caught today were salt water catfish. They are nasty little fellas and not good to eat. So after nearly 700 nautical miles we are finally taking some R&R. Playing cards, eating cookies, crossword puzzles, eating cookies, dinghy rides to Stump Pass to visit the Gulf side of the beach, eating cookies, fishing, eating cookies, dozing in the hammock hung on the bow and did I mention eating cookies. We will soon be headed north on the last leg of our maiden voyage to our next berth. We may punch out to the Gulf at Venice inlet or stay on the ICW to Tampa Bay. It will all be weather dependent. We want to give a big thanks to the US Coast Guard. We have come to appreciate the work that they do to make travel safe for us as we cruise the United States waters.